Uzi Cohen, a member of Ariel Sharon’s right-wing party, the Likud, has proposed the creation of a Palestinian state in northern Jordan in preparation for the expulsion of all non-Jews from Palestine.

Cohen told the Israeli-state run Radio Sunday that there is widespread support in Israel for “the idea of transfer.” “Many people support the idea (of transferring Arabs out of Palestine), but few are willing to speak about it publicly.”

Cohen, an influential figure in the Likud, proposed that Israel, the United States, the European Union as well as oil-rich Arab states make joint efforts to create a Palestinian state in northern Jordan.

He speculated that the Hashemite royal family in Amman “might view favorably this idea.”

Cohen, who is also the deputy-mayor of the Israeli city of Ra’anana, said Palestinians should be given 20 years to “leave voluntarily.” “In case they didn’t leave, then plans would have to be drawn to expel them by force.”